Canyon wrestler Ahmad Sunda

Entering his final wrestling season at Canyon, the 285-pounder had never advanced past the CIF Southern Section Individual stage before.

In his senior year, he not only qualified for the CIF Masters Tournament, but a top-nine finish there also earned him a spot in last weekend's state tournament in Bakersfield.

Although he failed to medal at state, Sunda's athletic career is far from over. He was a three-year varsity football player for the Comanches, starting on both the offensive and defensive lines.

This past season, he earned an All-Century League honorable mention. Sunda will play college football next season at Azusa Pacific. He's already looking forward to the summer months and the opportunity to work with his new offensive line coach, NFL Hall of Famer Jackie Slater.

The Register caught up with Sunda on Feb. 28, before he competed in the CIF State Tournament.

Q. What are your nerves like headed into the CIF State Tournament?

A. It's kind of like an underdog feeling to where it's not like I really have anything on my shoulders. I'm just going out there and wrestling, like I normally do.

Q. How would you compare football and wrestling?

A. Wrestling is harder, tenfold, than what football could ever possibly be. Just with the conditioning and the fact that the pressure is all on you. If you lose a football game, it could be because your running back missed a few yards or your defense let you down. When it comes down to wrestling, it's you versus yourself and just one other person. So if you lose, there are no excuses other than the fact that you messed up and you lost.

Q. Would you say playing on the line in football helped with wrestling?

A. Absolutely. The fundamentals are exactly the same. Keep your head up, stay low and keep your hands out. Fundamentally, some of the things are the same, because the line and wrestling are almost the same sport at times.

Q. Are you approaching the state tournament any different than any other tournament?

A. Preparing for state is just like preparing for any normal tournament. It's just the motivation to keep wrestling now. If you just give up, it's not like you just lost that tournament – you're done wrestling. Only the top eight qualify for nationals.

Q. Your offensive line coach at Azusa Pacific will be an NFL Hall of Famer. How much are you looking forward to that experience?

A. Honestly, the guy is just so influential. When you talk to him, he's such a big name, but he carries himself with so much respect. That just really caught my eye. I've talked to him on the phone, but it hasn't been as much lately because of wrestling. I'm just super stoked to go over there.